"Duck tape?" asked Thothalas. "Why in the Realm would anyone want to tape ducks?"The mage shook his head and winced at the sudden pain. Strangers have strange ways, he supposed.
"As for the swamp being dark, it certainly is! But my dark elven cousin many times removed and myself do have an edge with our elven vision. I could bring up the rear and keep an eye on our back if that's okay; I'm not going to be moving very fast today anyhow. And that brings us to another topic.
"I didn't plan that pyrotechnic show last night. I had a simple flare memorized, but something went wrong. For a moment, I.. I lost control... You can't understand what a terrible thing that is a for a mage. Never lose control, NEVER! Ah, what would Master Ythera say if he could see me now!
The young elf's eyes shone with a distant wetness. He drew slim dagger from his belt. It's delicate silver blade hadn't looked dangerous enough for the guards to even take notice of last night.
"I can fight... with this."
He held the blade too rigid and measured it with his eyes and found it (or himself) lacking. Cadbury tugged at his master's pants' leg and chittered for attention.
"If I have to use my magic, I will," he breathed, an addict talking of his addiction. "But I'm not sure... I can't promise... that any of us will be safe."
Thothalas turned away quickly. He drifted back to listen to the others and wait for their next move. He pulled a leather-bound book from his satchel and began studying with Cadbury cradled in the crook of his arm. For all the world, it appeared the little bunny was pointing out passages to the care-worn mage.
Thothalas
